Tropicabanas

Tenerife is a travel temptation in any month of the year, but it’s especially alluring in the cold of winter, since it’s milder climate seems downright luxurious. Temperatures are typically above 20 degrees, and the variety of tropical landscapes offers up enriching treasures underneath the infinite sunlight.

Get relaxation in one of the chic beach resorts, go exploring across diverse terrain, descend into gorges that induce vertigo, eat some fresh fish, or go surfing just off of black-sanded beaches. Tenerife has 785 square miles of adventure to enjoy. First, make sure you visit Tenerife Forum to get your feet wet after reading the article below.

The South And North Are Entirely Different Worlds

Tenerife has two main cities. The first is the former capital, La Laguna, and the second is the modern capital of Santa Cruz. The drive between them is not even a full hour, but their respective landscapes are quite different. The northside of the island is very green and tropical, while the south is more like a dry desert. Four out of five visitors head south for limitless beaches of golden sand and guaranteed sun, although there is wild to explore in the north. Beaches of black volcanic sand are sometimes only accessible to those on foot.

Bring Hiking Boots

Mount Teide is a volcano that hasn’t erupted since 1909. It’s Spain’s tallest peak, and the planet’s third-largest volcanic structure. There is a free permit you must apply for ahead of time to hike the 3178-meter summit. However, the lower side is already accessible. Alternatively, you can take a cable car up to Rambleta station, which is within 700 feet of the summit.

Clear days yield views of four other islands: La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, and Gran Canaria. The volcano and its surrounding areas were declared a National Park back in 1954, and they joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites later in 2007. Specific sites worth packing hiking boots for include the Anaga Mountains fairy forests, the Los Gigantes cliffs, the Masca gorge, and a dozen endemic species, including alheli flowers, found along many trails through the arid landscapes of harsh environments.

Get Cheap Eats At The Guachinches

Wine producers often needed places to sell their own produce, and makeshift restaurants called guachinches wound up being the answer. Traditionally, these are found on the northside of the island. Always try the house wine and homemade food, which is usually offered in smaller portions like tapas so it can complement the wine.

Plates might include things like carne de fiesta (spiced pork), carne cabra (goat’s meat), conejo en salmorejo (rabbit), or garbanzos (chickpeas), although there are many others. Guachinces often come simple and small, sometimes even in a converted garage, which means they’re a good option to explore Tenerife’s local soul. Guachapp is an app you can download to find the best options.

If you’d rather just wing it or go with your gut, keep your eyes open for signs that say ‘guachinche’ or even ‘se vende vino’ (wine sold here).

Absorb Local Culture In Colonial La Laguna

One of Tenerife’s main hubs of culture is the colonial town of La Laguna, which was founded in the latter half of the 15th century. With 1999 inclusion to the UNESCO World Heritage site list, La Laguna proves to be a primarily low-rise town home to the university among much colour and elegance.

It’s easy to explore the Nava Place, the Santa Catalina de la Siena convent, the cathedral, and the San Miguel chapel given the pedestrianised main streets welcome to those on foot. If you’ve visited any colonial cities of Latin America, you might recognise their foundations, considering how many were modelled on La Laguna’s city planning.

Enjoy Local Wine

Tenerife is quickly becoming an actual wine destination, and it’s not a fluke. The island takes pride not so much in having fertile volcanic soil that makes for PDO-recognised wine production area, but the fact that there are five of them! Tacoronte Acentejo was the first such area to achieve this protected status, and it currently features the highest number of all vineyards across the entire archipelago.

If you want to get great views of Mount Teide while learning about Tenerife’s winemaking traditions, then the scenic village of El Sauzal is where to go to visit the La Casa Del Vino. Bodega Monje is a family-operated winery that’s been in business all the way back since 1750, and its guided tours are well worth it.

Enjoy One Of The Planet’s Best Climates

The Canary Islands are sometimes called the ‘Fortunate Islands.” It might have something to do with the 3,500 annual years of sunshine, but the average 23-degree temperatures don’t hurt. Add in unique diversity, and all things are possible. You don’t have to consult forecasts to make plans, and plenty of activities are waiting for you here.

You can spend your morning hiking Spain’s tallest peak, followed by a swim to cool off. Take a mid-day break by lunching in a seaside restaurant and then work it all off with the incomparable adrenaline of kitesurfing.

Get Hooked On Regional Cuisine

The last few years have witnessed a resurgence of Tenerife cuisine. A growing number of restaurants are turning away from food offerings normally catered to tourists so they can instead put an emphasis on the traditions of local cuisine.

If you look over menus here, check out things like the local cherne or vieja fish, ‘mojo verde’ sauce or spicy ‘mojo picon’ and ‘papas negras arrugadas’ (which are wrinkled black potatoes). Desserts should be sweetly spiced rice pudding, such as gofio mousse or frangollo that’s made using local flour.

Bananas are the definitive fruit of this island in terms of the local produce. You might never find a better banana, and fresh papaya and avocados are just as pretty. Tequeste has a great farmer’s market if you want to grab some things for a beach picnic.

Hire Yourself A Car

When you have your own car, you can see and do anything and everything you want on your own schedule. It’s an affordable way of exploring a lot of this island.

Enjoy Postcard Perfection Sunset Events

Imagine the view of a burning sky with an endless Atlantic Ocean around the sight of the ever-defiant Mount Teide sitting in the middle of it all. If you want great spots for chasing a sunset, look around the volcano, but also check out various beaches; the Anaga-area Benijo is a good spot.

If you want some ideal scenery for sundowner cocktails, then Las Terrazas del Saual is a good a place as any.

Difference Between Leche Y Leche And Barraquito

You’ll find brews unknown or new to you when you order coffee in Tenerife. You should certainly sample two of the local specialties: leche y leche and barraquito. Leche y leche is a coffee that has both regular milk and condensed milk.

Alternatively, barraquito is a layered concoction with either Tia Maria or Licor 43, along with lemon peel, coffee, milk, ground cinnamon, and condensed milk. It should come as no surprise that both land heavily on the sweet side, so taste them before you add any sugar.

Put Your Gaze Towards The Sky

The Canarian Institute of Astrophysics has called Tenerife home for more than four decades. Alongside places such as Hawaii, Tenerife is among the planet’s best places for doing things like Stargazing. Laws have protected the pitch-black Canarian skies going back to 1992, and astral aficionados can find guided tours available at the Teide Observatory.

Explore An Amazing Underworld

The largest lava cave of Europe is found in the Icod de los Vinos district. This town is famous for an ancient dragon tree named ‘Drago Milenario,’ which legend has it is anywhere from one to three millennia of age.

La Cueva del Viento means ‘cave of the wind,’ and it’s a subterranean labyrinth of at least 10 miles of known passages, with much more yet to be explored or found.

There are many reasons why Tenerife is so popular. Many people move to Tenerife every year and appreciate the better lifestyle they now have.

There is nothing better than feeling your body relax as you lounge in the tropical sun, listening to the gentle lapping of the water on the pristine white sandy beach. While this relaxation is blissful, the task of deciding where to find this perfect place is not. There are so many choices that you can start to feel overwhelmed and confused. Fortunately, there are some destinations that stand out from the crowd.

The Great Barrier Reef

Australia has been blessed with beautiful beaches that house luxury resorts bordering the Great Barrier Reef. If you are looking for a quick tropical resort getaway, then heading down under would be the best option. You will be able to dive straight into your own private paradise, only surfacing when you want to try some of the fine wines and fresh local produce.

The pro of this resort destination is the fact that it is a direct flight away. You will not have to worry about changing planes or getting stuck while waiting for a connection. It also means that you could be relaxing in your hammock sooner rather than later.

The problem with this designation is that you might not get the dash of foreign culture that you want from your holiday. If you are looking for a foreign language, this is also not the best destination for you.

Bali

When heading to Bali, you might think that you haven’t gone very far away because of the number of English speakers living there. However, there is a reason for that and it is that Bali is fantastic. You will be able to get everything you want in Bali for an affordable price.

There are gorgeous private pools, a large range of dining options, sunset cocktail bars, great service and adventure for those who want it. There are a lot of people who avoid Bali because of its reputation as a drunken party scene. However, this has changed and you might want to see it for yourself.

The biggest drawing card for Bali is the price as it is great value for money. The problem with Bali is the traffic which can be worse than the busiest Western cities.

Fiji

Fiji is a tropical destination that seems to have been around forever. The reason for this is that Fiji is the tropical paradise that you have been dreaming about. Fiji offers crystal-clear water, coconut palms and pristine sandy beaches. You can also get a direct flight to the island which makes it even easier to get to.

The primary benefit of Fiji is that it does resemble the paradise that you are imagining. It can also act as a great romantic holiday for you and your partner. The problem with Fiji is that you will be on a small island and this limits the options you have for dining and activities. You also tend to get less value for money because of the limited availability of items.

Thailand

For many people, there is nowhere better to visit than Thailand. Thailand has everything you need from friendly people to picture-perfect scenery to delicious food. You will have so much choice in Thailand that you might not know where to start.

Thailand has been a hot destination for tourists for a while now. This means that some of the original problems that might have stopped you from visiting have been resolved in the more tourist-heavy areas. Of course, if you venture too far away, you will still face these issues.

The primary benefit of Thailand is the large number of regions and resorts that you can choose from. The problem is that with the increase in tourism, it has lost a lot of the local charm. There are also a lot of scammers out and about so you need to be careful.

For luxury travel, Carmen offers very good advice and has a lot of experience to get you the best of the best.

Whether it is discovering all the shades of green in the Daintree Rainforest or diving along the greatest reef on Earth. It may be a relaxing day along a palm-lined beach, but the one agreement all people will reach is that Tropical North Queensland is a rite of passage for every visitor’s first trip Down Under.

Find yourself a good luxury travel blog and you can extract lots of information for that trip of a lifetime.

Have you heard of Tropical North Queensland? Where exactly is it? It is sometimes referred to as Far North Queensland and has much to offer in the way of an exciting and adventurous holiday. This part of Australia is luscious and colourful, and it welcomes all types of exploration. In this article we will provide you with some handy information about the region and the top six things to do when visiting Tropical North Queensland.

A Quick Look At The Facts

• Tropical North Queensland is marked as the region from the city of Mackay located on the east coast of Queensland to the northern tip of the Cape York region.
• Cairns is noted as the primary international airport to the Tropical North Queensland region.
• Flying from London to Cairns is one of the longest flights and will take approximately 24 hours with a single stop-over.
• The Cairns airport is a ten minute car ride from the Cairns city centre.
• Despite the fact that the climate is warm all year in Australia, the Tropical North Queensland region will present with two distinct seasons. The wet season appears during summer from October to March, and the dry season is in winter from April to September.

The Different Things To Do When Visiting Tropical North Queensland

1. Visit The Great Barrier Reef

Potentially the most well-known feature in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a must-see for all visitors to Australia. It is the largest natural coral reef system on Earth and is home to approximately 1,600 types of fish including whales, stingrays and dolphins.

The exceptionally clear and azure blue water is a window to the marine world and is something that must be seen. Regardless of whether you choose to snorkel, dive, sail or fly across the Great Barrier Reef, the area can be easily accessed from Cairns, Mission Beach, Port Douglas and many other launch pads along the Australian coast.

2. The Daintree Rainforest

The Daintree Rainforest is listed as part of the World Heritage Wet Tropics and is the oldest rainforest currently existing on Earth. When visiting this rainforest it is possible to see colourful birds and crocodiles along the Daintree River. If you head further into the jungle, you will be able to see ancient trees and even visit Cape Tribulation and view the joining of the forest and the reef. Guided walks are offered to tourists; as well as tours on four-wheel drive vehicles. Resorts can be accessed in the forest with tree houses and hidden eco structures.

3. Cairns And Australian Beaches

Cairns is one of the most exciting areas in the Tropical North Queensland region. This contemporary city is a small one, but it is vibrant while still being relaxed. The man-made Esplanade Lagoon can be found in Cairns along the marina and it is possible to enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood while surveying this wonder. Ideally positioned along the reef and rainforest, it is also possible to drive north to the warm baths in Trinity Beach or Kewarra Beach. Palm Cove is a particular favourite of couples and youngsters.

4. Port Douglas

Port Douglas is one of the most laid-back holiday resorts within the Tropical North Queensland region. It is found approximately one hour’s drive from the Cairns city centre and can be reached along Australia’s most scenic coastal roads. Boasting an exquisite four mile beach, there is high-end boutique shopping with restaurants and accommodation along Port Douglas. In addition to being one of the best tourist attractions, Port Douglas is the closest port to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

5. The Atherton Tablelands And Kuranda

While these are technically two places to visit, they can be considered a single tourist attraction because they both offer a taste of the Tropical North Queensland hinterland.

By heading inland from the coastal area you will find Kuranda, a rainforest village. One of the tourist attractions here is the scenic railway with the rainforest cable car to explore the environment. Once you have reached the town it is essential that you explore the different markets and galleries to enjoy Kuranda’s troves of craft and art treasures.

For all food fans or hikers, the Atherton Tableland is a 45-minutes drive from Cairns heading inland. On this route you will be able to indulge in various traditional foods from different farms on route and sample the fruit wines that are open to the public.

6. The Great Tropical Drive

With over 26 routes to follow, the Great Tropical Drive will take you to some of the most popular tropical attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, Mission Beach, the Daintree Rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands. Of course, there is no way that you will be able to view all of these areas in a single visit, so you should pick and choose the options that suit you.

Located in the South Pacific is the magical tropical wonderland of Fiji. An archipelago of more than 800 islands and atolls which are lined with palm forests, surrounded by spectacular coral reefs and lined with white sand beaches. Fiji is one of the places on Earth that has to be seen to be believed and is now more accessible than ever with an increase in direct flights.

In terms of eco-tourism, Fiji is one of the leading destinations in the world. With luck, the islands will remain unspoilt and ready to be explored by the travellers who are looking to snorkel among the coral refers, swim with manta rays and explore the pristine tropical landscapes. It is important to note that getting around once you have arrived in Fiji can be costly, so you need to plan your trip in advance and ensure that you budget your travel.

Viti Levu

The largest island and the location of Fiji’s international airport is Viti Levu. Nadi International Airport is one that people either love or hate. Some people find its ramshackle appearance charming as backpackers seem to outnumber the locals and there is a multi-cultural charm. If you are planning to leave the island and visit a more remote location, Nadi is a good place to stock up on supplies. You can also enjoy the heat and Fijian music which floats through the streets.

While it is important that you visit that least one of the other islands on your trip, you should not dismiss Viti Levu. There are some incredible activities that you should do and see on the island. The Coral Coast is found to the south and it has offshore reefs which stretch from the Pacific Harbour to Korotogo. This area is great for snorkelling at high tide and it is a great base to use for exploring the other sites of the island.

You should also visit Pacific Harbour itself which is known as Fiji’s adventure capital and is a favourite with adrenaline junkie. You can also take a trip to Suva which is the capital of Fiji and the largest city in the South Pacific. In the capital, you can take in the mixture of modern structures, colonial architecture and winding streets which are packed with sari shops and curry houses.

If you start to feel a bit too warm, you can escape to one of the national parks. Kula Eco Park is the home of Fiji’s only indigenous mammal, the flying fox. You could also head for Colo-i-Suva Forest Park which is a lush rainforest that is packed with tropical birds and plants. You will be able to easily cool off in the thick vegetation and the cooling spray of the waterfalls. Once you have spent a few days basking with the locals, you should head to one of the island groups to get a taste of tropical life.

Getting Around

It is possible to reach all of the islands using a seaplane, chartered boat or water taxi. You can choose a simple return ticket or get a 5 to 15-day stay ticket. It is important to note that the boat trips are not cheap, but they are worthwhile if you want to discover the perfect tropical island where you can explore the coral bays and watch turtles hatch in the sand. You should consider booking the water bus in advance, but you need to check the terms and conditions beforehand as you might need to book your accommodation first.

The Mamanuca Islands

Another popular destination is the Mamanuca Islands because of their proximity to Nadi Airport and their beauty. The islands were featured in Survivor and Castaway showcasing the opportunities for diving, exploration and surfing that the islands have to offer. When you take a trip to the Mamanuca islands, you will be able to find the tropical paradise you want regardless of your age.

The Yasawa Islands

If you want to have a Robinson Crusoe holiday experience without any cars, pubs or banks then the Yasawa Islands are the best solution. These are some of the remote islands which are sparsely populated, but have an abundance of perfect beaches, fresh local foods and smiling faces which make it the location of dreams. Most of the accommodation on the islands are all-inclusive and can range from 5-star luxury to the most basic tent. It is recommended that you stock up on snacks and drinks at Nadi if you are going to be going full-board in order to save money.

The Lau Islands

The Lau Islands are located to the far east and are a small collection of islands that have very few people living on them. You will be limited in terms of tourist accommodation, but if you are willing to leave the beaten track, you will be in for a treat. The unique culture of the islands which is complemented by the deserted beaches and famous Fijian hospitality will make everything worthwhile.

The Lomaiviti Group

The Lomaiviti Islands are located to the east of Viti Levu and rest in the heart of the colonial era. The island is relatively modern and has a number of tourist-orientated islands as well as unspoilt and traditional retreats. You will not have to go far to find a beautiful beach and the laid-back essence of Fijian life.

Wherever you go in Fiji, you will fall in love with the islands. There is something that everyone will enjoy and your perfect Fijian island is waiting for you to find it.